Reasons for the Community Engagement - Essay Example

Community Engagement Project Student’s Name University Community Engagement Project Reasons for the community engagement The community engagement program was implemented by the ESD (extending service delivery) project. The male engagement program termed Healthy Images of Manhood aimed to address reproductive health/family planning and gender issues in a workplace HIV/AIDS program. Systemic and cultural failures in addressing and understanding gender norms have limited the effectiveness of workshop programs implemented in most third world countries including Tanzania. Companies have invested significant resources in order to promote workplace programs meant to enhance safety in terms of treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS, along with other sexually transmitted infections (USAID, 2013). These programs are often involved in the dissemination of valuable information meant to promote healthy behaviors. However, they have failed to address the influence that gender differences have on behaviors and health of the workers, as well as the surrounding communities. This has left a gap that affects the effectiveness of health programs. Hence, community engagement is an essential ingredient in the success of such programs (USAID, 2013). The project engaged the community, and especially the men who are significant players in the decisions made about the nature of relationships. Behaviors associated to HIV/AIDS infection and spread should engage men because they are considered as bearers of authority in third world countries, especially in relationships. Men learn from their communities, societies and families, about the traits they need to possess if they are to be perceived as ‘real men.’ Attitudes and gender norms influence their attitudes strongly, such that decisions are not made in a vacuum but in consideration of all that they have directly and indirectly learned from their environment (USAID, 2013). Hence, engaging the community will ensure that a multi pronged approach is used in delivering information, and this raises the chances of success with the behavior change. The communities of interest The main community of interest was men in the estate areas of south central Tanzania. When responding to the cultural demands of real men in the society, these men will be involved in multiple sexual relations and take very little responsibility for their own health, as well as that of their families’. In addition, they will exhibit less responsibility over the nature of the sexual decisions of women and control of their own sexual behaviors. Evidence shows that these men want to be good and caring husbands, fathers and partners, but they lack knowledge of how to do so and sustain this behavior even in the face of challenges (USAID, 2013). Negative behaviors exhibited by men affect their families and the community, making them a pivotal community in effecting change. Another community that was used were the employers’ in the organizations that were used as the venue for implementing the project. The community of employers represents the elders within the community, and they had to be taught and convinced of the benefits of the program before they signed off on the project. Families were also used as part of the implementation process because men are likely to participate in projects and services that are provided to their families. Men will engage in safer behaviors if they perceive that the behavior will be beneficial to other members of the family; hence, having a responsibility will encourage men to participate more than they would if they did not have responsibilities (Alin & Brown, 2004). Description of change and the processes used The project aimed to increase participation in healthier behaviors, in their relationships. ESD used a hypothesis to guide their efforts in implementing the change, as well as decisions about the processes used. The program hypothesized that addressing the issues in traditional gender roles that result in engaging in unhealthy behaviors is both cost effective and effectual in making the changes a reality. A group of experts was chosen to plan the process for this change. Experts in gender issues, family planning, workplace programs were consulted, and they developed the program of Healthy Images of Manhood as part of an integrated approach meant to address issues of HIV, gender, communication skills, family planning and effective counseling. The program engaged the entire community in disseminating the information, including workplace peers, peer educators and community educators. This process was used because people tend to trust people in their community more than strangers. The initial project was piloted within a workplace environment in order to help workers understand the effects of harmful health behaviors, harmful gender norms related to reproductive and sexual health (Massey, 2012). Highlighting these issues is essential to adopt healthier behaviors and attitudes. It is important to note that the Healthy Images of Manhood were implemented as an educational program. The experts planned the project so that sessions would be held as learning sessions (Alin & Brown, 2004). The program crafted information carefully in order to alter norms that are related to traditional beliefs about femininity and masculinity. Only the norms that result in harmful sexual and reproductive behaviors were targeted. How the engagement fits within a broader community development process According to the six keys for community engagement, there are various factors that need to be determined in when engaging the community. These steps include gaining knowledge of the place you are going to, sharing leadership, focusing on problem areas and relating to the target community at their level. The project focused on the issue in Tanzania, and was in partnership with local organizations that engage in community projects. The project coordinators used experts to learn about the local community, and used this knowledge to formulate their plans, which adhered to cultural and societal issues. This is evident in how the project focused on men because men are more influential in the family setup, in most third world countries. The project also shared the leadership of the project by inviting partners from the community who share similar goals. This sharing also allowed for sharing of resources, accountability and resources. The government was also among the partners that included the government of Tanzania, which has vested interest in programs meant to reduce the prevalence of HIV/AIDS. In addition, the project involved working directly with the families, communities and families in order to establish goals. The project planning process also involved learning more about the community and reaching out to the members of the community in order to gain credibility amongst them. Upon having a visible presence within the community, the project developers and coordinators raised their chances of having a successful program. They listened to what the families and other community members were saying and assessed their needs. They used this information to create specific strategies and tactics for reaching out to the community. Hence, the changes advanced the vision of the community as a whole instead of trying to force foreign ideas in the community. They looked for a common ground with the community so that they could work towards a common goal. The project also addressed the issues that defined challenges, diversity and controversy in the community (University of Kansas, 2013). They addressed gender issues and acknowledged the influences of community ideas of sexuality. How well the project is grounded in principles of community engagement The program was grounded in community engagement principles in that it fostered individual normative changes in the men. These knowledge and skills are applied within the family unit in order to promote broader changes in the community. Having multiple reinforcements of the same information is essential in encouraging community members to analyze their behavior before choosing to implement a change. Since the project will affect family planning, it affects the community in terms of population and the nature of the community set up (University of Kansas, 2013). Supervision was done using different individuals, including those in the community. Community health campaigns were used as examples from which goals could be set for the project to accomplish. The project was committed to reciprocity in that the coordinators stated what they needed from the community, then delivered what they had promised in exchange. In exchange for the cooperation of the community, the coordinators taught the community what they needed to know about engaging in healthy sexual behavior within the context of their community norms (Homan, 2008). In addition, the project was outlined in the community and the implementation followed the exact process, ensuring that honesty was maintained. The strategies and techniques used The project was developed and implemented as an educational program. Research shows that education programs improve the outreach of the information; they strengthen links between the service delivery and outreach, and the contributed to higher rates of change among workers. In order to appeal to as wide an audience as possible, the program built upon numerous evidence based practices (Berg, Melaville & Blank, 2006). The practices and programs chosen to engage men in direct confrontation, along with addressing of sexual and reproductive health. Since the community would be involved, as well, this also helped open up the community to open communication about sexual issues, including elders and women who will later advice the youth. The project was majorly informed by a comprehensive assessment of the situation, as well as implementation. The plans implemented were dynamic in nature to allow for possible changes that would be informed by monitoring and evaluation of the program (Kenny, 2011). Gaining partnerships with influential organizations helped in allowing availability of resources that would be used in this process. Aspects of the project you feel could have been changed to improve it Rather than just focusing on the men, the program should have been directed to parents as a unit because decisions that concern family planning are informed by both partners in a marriage or relationship (University of Kansas, 2013). Hence, informing only one party may be futile, especially if the wife does not agree with the decision of family planning made by her husband. In addition, the project could have been better if the project aimed not only to inform the men, but also to train them so that they can inform their families of the same. This will enhance safe sexual behaviors in the community as a whole and reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS, as well as prevent further incidences. As an initiative meant to improve the behavior of men, it could be boosted by empowering women and youth, as well. The women can be accessed through their community initiatives, and youth can be accessed at school. The organizations that assisted with the implementation should be sufficiently armed with tools and skills so that they can oversee the effects of the implementation, in addition to carrying out monitoring and evaluation, as well as making any necessary changes to the program. Rather than just having the program carried out once, the program should be integrated into the workplace, such that anyone working within the company goes through the same project. References Alin, H. J., & Brown, V. A. (2004). Part 1 Starting up: What makes for good community engagement. Towards a Whole of community Engagement: A practical toolkit. Murray Darling Basin commission. Berg, A. C., Melaville, A. & Blank, M. J. (2006). Community and family engagement: principals share what works. Coalition for community schools. metLife Foundation. Homan. (2008). ‘Knowing your community’, In M.S.Homan, Promoting community change. Brooks/Cole: Belmont. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wcom20/19/2#.UcqpG-utVJk Kenny, S. (2011). Developing Communities for the Future: Community Development in Australia. 4th Edition. South Melbourne: Nelson ITP. p. 38-44. Massey , G. (2012). Understanding and Explaining Social Change. Chapter 3. In Ways of Social Change: Making sense of modern times. Los Angeles: Sage. USAID. (2013). Healthy imaged of manhood: A male engagement approach for workplaces and community programs integrating gender, family planning and HIV/AIDS – A Case Study. Retrieved from http://www.esdproj.org/site/DocServer/ESD_legacy_HIM_6_24_10.pdf?docID=3571 University of Kansas. (2013). The Community Toolbox. Understanding and Describing Community. Retrieved from http://ctb.ku.edu/en/tablecontents/sub_section_main_1020.aspx Read More